Home International charge hangs in balance

Ireland’s hopes of retaining the R&A Trophy for the Boys Home International Championship suffered a jolt as they were agonisingly beaten 8-7 by hosts Scotland at Western Gailes in Ayrshire yesterday.

They need to beat England today and hope Wales do them a favour by overcoming Scotland or losing only narrowly, causing the title to be decided on a countback of points.

After going down 3-2 in the foursomes they were always in with a chance in the singles and for a long period held the upper hand but Peter Kerr and Eoin Leonard, who led at the halfway point, were both caught and had to settle for halves which swung the tie Scotland’s way.